Separable cuff button



SEPARABLE CUFF BUTTON Filed Aug. 26, 1924 gwuenl om 15 i. ag/ken Patented June 23, 1925.

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

BENJAMIN FRANKLIN BAKEB, OF ST. JOHN,- NEW BRUNSWICK, CANADA.

' T SEPARABLE CUFF BUTTON.

Application 'flled August 26, 1924. Serial No. 734,291.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, BENJAMIN FRANKLIN BAKER, a citizen of Canada,'residing at St. John, in the Province of New Brunswick and 'Dominion'of Canada, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Separable Cuff Buttons, of which the following is a specification.

This invention relates to separable buttons and more particularly to a separable cuff button. Articles of this class'usually present the disadvantage that they are more or less diflicult to manipulate in eifecting a separation of their component parts, and it is, therefore, one of the objects of thepresent invention to provide a separable button the component parts of which may be readily separated and yet, when assembled, will be securely held united to each other in a manner to preclude any accidental separation.

Another object of the present invention is to so construct the parts of the button that there will be no strain imposed upon the locking elements of the button when the two parts thereof are separated.

Another object of the invention is to provide, in a button. of this class, an arrangement of thelocking elements of the button such as to permit of a floating or relatively free movement of said elements which are associated with one part of the button, when the locking shank of the other part of the button is inserted between the said elements, so that the said locking elements will not be subjected to any appreciable strain in connecting and separating the parts.

Other objects of a more specific nature will hereinafter appear as the description of the invention proceeds.

In the accompanying drawings:

Figure 1 is a perspective view of a cufl, button constructed in accordance with the present invention, the component parts thereof being relatively separated.

Figure 2 is a detail view illustrating one of the parts of the button in longitudinal section and the other partin elevation.

Figure 3 is a vertical transverse sectional View on the line 3-3 of Figure 2.

Figure & is a perspective view of one of the locking elements of the button,

Figure 5 is a perspective view of the spreader for effecting relative separation of the locking elements of the button.

The button embodying the invention comprises two parts adapted to be connected and separated as occasion requires, and these parts are indicated, one by the numeral 1 and the other by the numeral 2. The part 1 comprises a head 3 having a circular disclike flange 4 which is connected with the head 3- by an approximately conical shaped neck portion 5. Beyond the flange 4, the member 1 is provided with an axially extending shank 6 which is preferably circular in cross section and which, at its outer end, is formed. with a conical locking head 7, the base of which is of 'reater diameter than that of the shank 6, thereby providing an annular shoulder 8;

The member 2 of the button comprises a hollow cylindrical shank 9 and a head which is indicated in general by the numeral 10,. the said head comprising an annular concavo-conveX flange l1 integrally formed at one end of the shank 9, and a cap member 12 likewise of concave-convex form and having a peripheral overturned flange 13 engaging about the periphery of the flange 11 whereby the two parts of the head are securely connected together. For a purpose to be presently explained, the cap member 12 of the head 10 is formed centrally or, in other words, in axial alinement with the shank 9, with an opening indicated by the numeral 14 The shank 9 at its opposite end is formed with an outstanding circumscribing flange 15 which is preferably of sufficient thickness to provide for the formation therein of diametrically oppositely located grooves 16, in the base thereof, extending in alinement with relation to each other and adapted to'serve a purpose to be presently explained. A cap member 17 of circular form is disposed against the outer face of the said flange 15 and covers the said face and has its peripheral portion overturned, as indicated by the numeral 18, so as to unite the parts, the said cap member being formed centrally with an opening indicated by the numeral 19.- The cap member 17 is of a diameter. substantially equal to the diameter ofthe flange f4, aswill be evident ill:

by reference to Figures 1 and 2 of the draw ings.

W'ithin the hollow shank 9 of the member 2 of the button, there are arranged two coacting locking elements one of which is most clearly shown in Figure 4: of the drawings and indicated in general by the numeral 19. This locking element comprises a relatively narrow oblong strip or body 20, the face of which, which is presented toward the other locking element, is preferably slightly transversely concave as indicated by the numeral 21 to conform to the peripheral contour of the base of the head 7'upon the locking shank 6. Between the ends of the member 20, it is formed upon its said face with a transv rsely extending shoulder 22 which is to be engaged by the shoulder 8 of the head 7 of the locking shank 6 when the said shank is inserted between the said members 19, in assembling the device. Formed integrally with one end of the member 20 and extending in a plane at right angles from the plane of the other face of the said member, is a slide or head 23 which is flat in contour and is engaged in a respective one of the groow 1 16, the said head being guided by the said groove so that the member 19 as a whole may have movement toward and from the axis of the tubular shank 9, the head 23 being sufliciently loosely slidably received within the groove 16 as to permit of more or less heat ing movement of the said members 1.9. At their opposite ends, the said members 20 support springs 24 which are preferably formed from resilient wire and each of these springs is preferably of wire doubled upon itself to provide spaced portions and a rounded connecting portion 26, which portions are adapted to bear against the inner surface of the shank 9 in the manner best illustrated in Figure 2 of the drawings. The ends of the spaced members of the springs are preferably anchored to the respective locking member 20 by securing their said ends through an opening 27 formed in the respective member 20 located in close proximity to the shoulder 22 of the said member as indicated by the numeral 2:") so as to securely anchor the said end. Y The spring 2 1 is located at that side of the respective member 20 from which the head 23 projects and, therefore, the springs of the two locking elements engage diametrically opposite sides of the wall of the hollow shank 9. By reference now to Figure 2 of the drawings, it will be observed that the two parts of the button may be connected by inserting the locking shank '6 of the part l'through the opening 19 of the part 2 and between the opposing concave faces 21 of the locking elements 19 until the locking head 7 f the shank '6 has moved past the shoulders 22, and the shoulder 8 of said head has engaged behind the abrupt faces of these shoulders, as best shown in said figure. In thisposition of the parts, the said parts 1 and 2 will be prevented from becoming separated and the flange 4 of the part 1 will engagein th cap member 17 of the part 2. In this insertion of the shank 6 into the part 2, the locking elements 19 will have more or less of a floating motion as the head '7 passes along the concave faces of the said elements 19, this motion being yieldably resisted by the springs 24.

In order that the-ends of the locking elements 19 adjacent the locking shoulders 22, may be spread apart so as to clear the shoulder 8 of the head 7 of the locking shank 6 and permit of ready withdrawal of the shank from the part 2 of the button, a spreader,such as shown in Figure of the drawings, is provided, the said spreader being indicated in general by the numeral 28 and comprising a body '29 which is substantially wedgeshaped, having inclined faces 30, and provided at its ridge with a sided longitudinally extending flange 31 having a V-shaped notch 32' formed in its outer edge. The body 29, at its base, is providedwith a stud 33 which is preferably cylindrical and which is fitted through the opening 14 in the cap member 12 of the head 10. Normally, the spreader will assume the position shown in Figure 2 of the drawings, with its base engaging against the inner side of the cap member 12 and with its flange 31 engaging between the overturned ends of the locking elements 19. In this position of the parts, the springs 24; are permitted to maintain the said locking elements 19 in engagement with the head 7 of the shank 6 so as to prevent separation of the two parts of the button, but when it is desired to separate the said parts of the button, pressure is exerted against the stud 33, which projects beyond the outer surface of the cap member 12, thereby forcing the body 29 of the spreader inwardly and wedging the same between the said verturned ends of the members to separate their said ends and permit the shoulder 8 to clear the shoulders" 22. It will be observed by reference to Figure 2 of the drawings, that whenthe spreader is pushed inwardly in the manner indicated, the notch 82 in the flange 31 will accommodate the conical head 7 of the locking shank (3 of the part 1 of the button, so that the inward movement of the spreader is not in any way interfered with. Likewise, it will be understood that due to the inclination of the side faces of the body 29 of the spreader, and the engagement of the rounded or overturned ends of the members 20 with these faces, the spreader will be projected in an outward direction when relieved of pressure, due to the force exerted by the springs 24;

ill)

It will be understood, of course, that the head 3 of the part 1 of the button and the cap member 12 of the head 10 of the button may be ornamented in any desired manner and that the button may be made in various sizes and with various shank lengths as may be desired.

Having thus described the invention, what I claim is:

1. A separable buttonconsisting of two parts, one comprising a head and a shank extending from one side thereof and provided with a shoulder, the other part coinprising a head having a tubular shank extending from one side thereof and provided at its outer end with an opening to receive the shank of the first mentioned part, mutually opposed locking elements arranged within the hollow shank for relatively free floating movement, means yieldably urging said elements toward each other to a lock ing position, oppositely located shoulders upon said elements for engagement by the shoulder upon the shank of the first mentioned part, and means operable to relatively separate said elements to disengage said shoulders from the shoulder of the shank of the first mentioned part.

' 2; A separable button consisting of two parts, one comprising a head and a shank extending from one'side thereof, the other part comprising a head, atubular shank extending from one side thereof and provided in its outer end with an opening to receive the shank of the first mentioned part, mutu ally opposed locking elements arranged within the hollow shank for relatively free floating movement, means yieldably urging the said elements toward each other to a (iii locking position, coacting means upon the said locking elements and the shank of the first mentioned part for locking said shank against withdrawal from the tubular shank of the second mentioned part, and means operable to relatively separate the said elements to render the said coacting locking means inactive. V

3. A separable button consisting of two parts, one comprising a head and a shank extending from one side thereof and provided with a shoulder, the other part comprising a head having a tubular shank ex tending from one side thereof and provided at its outer end with an opening to receive the shank of the first mentioned part, mutually opposed locking elements arranged within the hollow shank for relatively free floating movement, means yieldably urging said elements toward each other to a looking position, oppositely located shoulders upon the said elements for engagement by the shoulder upon the shank of the first mentioned part, and means including a wedge part between the said locking ele ments and operable to separate the said elements to disengage their shoulders from the shoulder of the shank of the first mentioned part.

' 4. A separable button consisting of two parts, one comprising a head-and a shank extending from'one' side thereof and provided with a shoulder, the other part comprising the head *having a tubular shank extending from one side thereof and provided in its outer endwith an opening to receive the shank of the first mentioned part, mutually opposed locking elements ar ranged within the hollow shank for relatively free floating movement, springs'bear ing between said elements and the opposite sides of the wall of the shank and urging the said elements toward each other to a locking position, oppositely located shoulders upon the said elements for engagement by the shoulder upon the shank of the first mentioned part, and means operable to relatively separate said elementsto disengage their shoulders from the shoulder of the shank of the first mentioned part.

5. A separable button consisting of two parts, 'one'comprising a head and a shank extending from one sidethereof and provided with a shoulder, the other part comprising a head having a tubular shank extending from one side thereof and provided at its outer endwith an opening to receive the shank of the first mentioned part, mutually opposed locking elements arranged within the hollow shank for relatively free floating movement, coacting means upon the said element and the outer end of the shank for guiding the said outer ends ofthe elements in their movement toward and from each other, means yieldably urging said elements toward each other to a locking position, oppositely locatedshoulders upon the said elements for engagement by the shoulder upon the shoulder upon the shank of the first mentioned part, and means operable to relatively-separate said elements to disengage their shoulders from the shoulder of the shank ofthe first mentioned-part.

- 6. A separable button consisting of two parts, one comprising a head and a shank extending from one sidethereof and pro? vided. with a shoulder, the other part com.- prising the head having a tubular shank extending from one side thereof and provided in its outer end with an opening to receive the shank of the first mentioned part, mutually opposed locking elements arranged within the hollow shank for relatively free floating movement, springs connected to the said locking elements at their ends next adjacent the head of the second mentioned part and extending beside the outer sides of the said elements and bearing against the opposite sides of the wall of the shank of the said second partwhereby to yieldably urge the said elements toward each other to a ve iag pe i m ans new the s d e ments engageable by the shoulder upon the shank of the first mentioned part to look the parts against separation; and means operable to relatively separate the said ends of the said locking elements to render the elements inactive to coact wit-l1 the shoulder upon the shank of-the first mentioned part.

7. A separable button consisting of two parts, one comprising a head and a shank extending from one side thereof and proi'ided with a shoulder, the other part comprising a head having a tubular shank extending from one side thereof and provided in its outer end with an open-ing to receive the shank of the first mentioned part, mutually opposed locking elements arranged within the hollow shank for relatively free floating movement, means yieldably urging the said elements toward each other to a locking position oppositely located shoulders upon the said elements for engagement by the shoulder upon the shank of the first mentioned part, the head of the second mentioned part having an opening in axial alinement with its said shank, and a spread- .er comprising a wedge-shaped body disposed within the head and having a stud projecting through the opening, the said body of the spreader having a flange extending from the ridge thereof and engaging between the adjacent ends of the said locking elements whereby when the said stud is pressed inwardly, the body of the spreader will be shifted to relatively separate the said adjacent ends of the locking elements and dis engage their shoulders from the shoulder of the shank of the first mentioned part.

8. A separable button consisting of two parts, one comprising a head and a shank extending from one side thereof and provided with a shoulder, the other part comprising a head having a tubular shank extending from one side thereof and provided in its outer end with an opening to receive the shank of the first mentioned part, mutually opposed locking elements arranged within the hollow shank for relatively free floating movement, means yieldably urging the said elements toward each other to a locking position, oppositely located shoulders upon the said elements for engagement by the shoulder upon the shank of the first mentioned part, the head of the second mentioned part haying an opening in axial alinement with its said shank, and, a spreader comprising a wedge-shaped body disposed within the head and having a stud projecting through the openin the said-body of the spreader having a flange extending from the ridge thereof and engaging between the tending therefrom, the shank of one sec tion being hollow and at its free end having an outstanding annular flange provided with recesses disposed radially of and communicating with the interior of the hollow shank, the shank. of the other section being of a diameter to slide longitudinally intoand out of the hollow shank through the free end thereof and having a shouldered portion, latches in said hollow shank and each comprising an elongated body portion extending longitudinally in said hollow shank and an outstanding foot portion, the foot portions of said latches being slidably received in said radially disposed seats to guide movement ,of the latches radially of the hollow shank into and out of position for gripping engagement with the shank of the other section in operative relation to the shouldered portion thereof, a spring carried by the body of each latch and engaging the wall of the hollow shank to yieldably retain the latch in a gripping position, and means for moving said latches to a releasing position.

In testimony whereof I aflix my signature.

rnmnvua FRANK-LIN BAKER. L 3. 

